Independent candidates on the rise in Massachusetts

Wednesday

Sep 26, 2018 at 7:00 AMSep 28, 2018 at 4:02 PM

As voters pivot attention to the general election on Nov. 6, they’ll learn Democratic and Republican nominees will not be the only names on the ballot.

The state has certified 42 independent, unenrolled and third-party candidates, who gathered enough signatures to run for state and federal office. The number grew 50 percent from 28 candidates who ran during the midterm election in 2014.

The non-party candidates, as they’re called, are exempt from primary elections.

One is running for U.S. Senate, two for the U.S. House of Representatives and one will vie for state auditor, secretary of the state and state treasurer, respectively.

Additionally, 18 candidates are running for the Mass. House of Representatives and three are vying for state Senate. The remaining 15 candidates are running for district attorney, clerk of courts, county commissioner and the Governor’s Council.

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U.S. Senate

Shiva Ayyadurai, a biomedical entrepreneur with four degrees from MIT, is the independent candidate running for U.S. Senate.

A supporter of President Donald Trump, Ayyadurai successfully collected about 20,000 signatures to get on the ballot, roughly doubling the required amount. If elected, he’d advocate for term limits and campaign spending caps.

Born in India, Ayyadurai grew up in New Jersey and claims to have invented email. He’s spent much of the campaign attacking Warren, saying “only a real Indian can defeat the fake Indian.”

The slogan refers to Warren’s controversial claim of Native American ancestry.

Since 2017, the Ayyadurai campaign has spent about $4.9 million and had $100,385 cash on hand, as of Aug. 15, according to campaign documents with the U.S. Federal Election Commission.

To compare, the Diehl campaign spent about $1.7 million, but had slightly more cash on hand – $197,886 – while the Warren campaign spent $11.3 million with roughly $15.6 million cash on hand during the same period.

Third Congressional District

Mike Mullen, an information and technology director from Maynard, is running as an independent candidate in the Third Congressional District, including parts of Essex, Middlesex and Worcester counties.

Mullen is campaigning on issues including the implementation of a single-payer health care system and promoting an alternative to the U.S. political system currently dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties.

“Our two-party system has become increasingly divisive,” Mullen wrote on his website. “Rather than fighting against each other, I hope to promote unifying themes all Americans can support.”

Mullen will run against GOP nominee Rick Green of Pepperell, who ran unopposed in the primary election, and Democratic nominee Lori Trahan of Westford, who won in a crowded primary featuring 10 candidates.

Mullen spent $1,045 through June 30 and had $6,989 cash on hand, according to the FEC.

Since 2017, Green spent $374,904 and had $435,126 cash on hand, as of Aug. 15. Trahan, meanwhile, spent $722,930 and had $481,725 cash on hand.

The seat is currently held by the retiring Democrat U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas of Lowell.

Sixth Congressional District

Mary Jean Charbonneau of Rockport is the independent candidate running for the Sixth Congressional District, comprising most of Essex County.

Formerly a real estate broker, Charbonneau says she’s unsuccessfully run for various local, state and federal offices over multiple decades, and has gathered enough signatures to make the ballot for congress this year.

In a brief phone interview, Charbonneau said she believes she could represent the district well because she understands its issues and people.

“I know the territory and I’m a problem solver like you wouldn’t believe. I feel that I’m the little key that’s missing on the chain,” she said.

A Trump supporter, Charbonneau said she understands how the president’s mind works, calling him “clever.”

She joins GOP nominee Joe Schneider, a Beverly businessman and former Green Beret, in challenging incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton of Salem. Both men ran unopposed in the primary.

The Charbonneau campaign has raised $128 and spent no money this election cycle.

Since 2017, Schneider’s campaign spent $95,190 and had $12,680 cash on hand, as of Aug. 15, compared to the $2 million spent by the Moulton campaign, which had $1.1 million cash on hand.

Auditor

Edward J. “Jed” Stamas is running for state auditor as a member of the Green-Rainbow Party.

The Northampton educator says he’s running to become a watchdog of Beacon Hill, adding the state needs an independent state auditor “who isn’t part of the system and who isn’t corrupted by corporate interest.”

“As auditor, I will be an independent watchdog, ensuring that the Democrats and Republicans are not playing political games with taxpayer money,” he wrote on the party’s website.

The Green-Rainbow Party in Massachusetts is an affiliate of the Green Party of the United States. The progressive party advocates for the environment, nonviolence and grassroots organizing.

As of Aug. 31, Stamas’ campaign account totaled $761 compared to $188,780 held by the Bump campaign. The Brady account totaled $12,409 and the Fisherman campaign held $2,719.

Secretary of Commonwealth

Juan Sanchez is running for the secretary of the commonwealth as a member of the Green-Rainbow Party.

Sanchez, a lifelong resident of Holyoke, says he’s advocating for underprivileged and underrepresented groups to have a voice on Beacon Hill. He would also champion electoral and campaign finance reform and improve voter education, according to the party website.

“Now more than ever, Massachusetts needs to ensure fair and equitable elections in a time when our nation seems to be going in different directions,” Sanchez wrote.

Sanchez will join GOP nominee Anthony Amore of Swampscott in challenging incumbent Democrat William F. Galvin of Boston, who ended a bitterly fought primary with a landslide victory over fellow Democrat Josh Zakim.

Jamie Guerin is running for state treasurer as a member of the Green-Rainbow Party.

A Northampton resident, Guerin wants to implement a state bank to “end Wall Street influence in local politics.” She’s also advocating for the burgeoning marijuana industry to more directly benefit local communities and businesses instead of large national companies.

“We need to shift the power into the hands of the people and communities. Why not invest in ourselves?” she wrote on the party website.